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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Homer
4Gardner, who passed away on March 23, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner was born in Tallahatchie County,
6Mississippi to the Reverend Daniel J. and Ollie Gardner on July
729, 1937; he committed to his faith at an early age; during his
8teen years, he joined the United States Army and completed his
9high school education in the Army Academy; in 1957, he moved to
10Chicago and joined Sun Rise Missionary Baptist Church; In June
11of 1965, he met Ida, and they married that December; his quest
12for knowledge led him to the Cosmopolitan School of Business,
13Illinois Institute of Technology, where he studied Metallurgy,
14and the LaSalle Extension University, where he studied law; he
15earned his master's degree in theology from the Carolina
16University of Theology; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner built a career in the forging
18industry as a metallurgist; he held management roles at several
19companies, including Kropp Forge, Rockwell International, and
20Modern Steel; he retired in 2000; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner actively served in the church; he
22held many roles, including Sunday school teacher, choir member

 

 

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1and director, secretary, treasurer, and deacon; he was called
2to the ministry in 1977 and was elected as Pastor of Sunrise in
3August of 1978; he served until his retirement in 2016; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner's greatest pride was his family; he
5enjoyed traveling with his wife and doting on his children and
6grandchildren; he walked his grandchildren to school, attended
7school programs and sporting events, and fully enjoyed life; he
8will be remembered for his laugh, humor, and love for his
9faith, family, friends, and church; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner was preceded in death by his
11parents; and his siblings and siblings-in-law, Lewis (Fannie),
12Judge (Annie), Danny Lewis (Amos), Edith Thomas, Odie Dawson,
13Odis C. (Lessie), Rochella Griffin Slaughter, Genterry, Shiloh
14(Eartha), and Eddie (Nanette); and
 
15    WHEREAS, Homer Gardner is survived by his wife of 53 years,
16Ida; his daughters, Olivia (Pastor Anthony) Jones and Arrie
17Gardner; his grandchildren, Brandon Jones, Walter Williams,
18Quentin (Ke'Asia) Jones, Olivia Williams, Iyla Williams,
19Samantha Jones, and Anthony Jones Jr.; his great-grandson,
20Ayden Jones; his siblings, Charles (Gloria), Geraldean
21(Eugene) Peavy, Lenon (Elsie), Vera (Charlie) Chapman, Annice
22Young, Juanice Kanakaredes, and Dorothy Faye; his four
23brothers-in-law; his nine sisters-in-law; his loving, kind,

 

 

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1thoughtful godchildren; his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and
2friends; and his Sun Rise family; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
4HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
5we mourn the passing of Homer Gardner and extend our sincere
6condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
7him; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Homer Gardner as an expression of
10our deepest sympathy.